Miss. public universities plan tuition increases

Tuition at Mississippi's eight public universities will increase by an average of more than 6 percent this fall.

State College Board figures show the average price for two semesters of full-time tuition and fees will rise by an average of $381. That puts it at $6,329.

The College Board voted in spring 2012 on a two-year tuition plan and didn't consider the subject this year. Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds says schools were given the option to change plans this spring, but none chose to.

In November, though, the board approved $50-a-semester facilities fees for students at Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi.

Universities say they need more money to increase faculty salaries, cover operation costs and make up for cuts to state aid during the recession.